Swanston Street, Melbourne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Swanston Street Victoria
Swanston Street near City Square
General information
Type	Street
Opened	1837
Major junctions
North end	College Crescent
	Elgin Street Queensberry Street Victoria Street Franklin Street La Trobe Street Lonsdale Street Bourke Street Collins Street
South end	Flinders Street
Location(s)
Suburb(s)	Melbourne, Carlton, Parkville

Swanston Street is a very important street in the middle of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is one of the main roads in Melbourne's city centre. It was planned way back in 1837 as part of the original Hoddle Grid. This street cuts right through the city centre from north to south. It's famous for having the busiest tram corridor in the world. It also has many old, beautiful buildings and is a popular place for shopping.

Swanston Street runs mostly north to south. It is located between Russell Street to the east and Elizabeth Street to the west. In the south, it turns into St Kilda Road after crossing Flinders Street. The northern end of the street is in the suburb of Carlton, near Melbourne Cemetery. This northern part used to be called Madeline Street. The street is named after a famous businessman and politician named Charles Swanston.

The Story of Swanston Street

Swanston Street was one of the first main streets planned for Melbourne in 1837. This plan was called the Hoddle Grid. Back then, people walked or used horse-drawn carts on the street. It looked like many old European streets.

By the late 1800s, it had become a major route for trams. In the early 1900s, cars became popular. Swanston Street then became a busy road for cars. It connected areas north of the city to St Kilda Road.

Making Swanston Street for People

In March 1992, a big change happened. The part of the street between Flinders and La Trobe Street was closed to private cars during the day. This section is now known as Swanston Street Walk.

The street was updated in 1992 with new public art. One famous statue is a small bronze dog named Larry La Trobe. It was made by a Melbourne artist, Pamela Irving. By the early 2000s, nine tram routes used the street. This made it the busiest tram area in Melbourne.

In 2008, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, suggested letting private cars back on the street. Many groups, like those who support public transport and cycling, did not agree. By 2010, the Lord Mayor changed his mind. He announced plans to make the entire street in the city centre car-free. This was a complete change from his earlier idea.

Famous Buildings on Swanston Street

Many important buildings and areas in Melbourne are on Swanston Street. This is because it has always been a main street. Some of these famous places include:

• Flinders Street railway station
• Federation Square
• Young and Jackson Hotel
• Melbourne Town Hall
• Capitol Theatre
• City Square
• Manchester Unity Building
• Curtin House
• Chinatown Archway
• QV Village
• State Library of Victoria
• Melbourne Central Shopping Centre
• City Baths

Both the University of Melbourne and RMIT University also have buildings along Swanston Street.

Getting Around Swanston Street

Swanston Street is a very important route for public transport.

Trams and Trains

Many tram routes run along Swanston Street. These include routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72. So many trams use this street that it is the busiest tram corridor in the world!

Two of Melbourne's busiest train stations are also near the street. Flinders Street station, a major hub for suburban trains, is at the southern end. Further north, the underground Melbourne Central station is at the intersection of La Trobe Street. A new train tunnel, the Metro Tunnel, is being built under Swanston Street. It is expected to be finished in 2025.

Cycling

Swanston Street is also a main path for people who cycle to and through the city. There are bike lanes from the northern suburbs and from St Kilda Road in the south. The Capital City Trail for cyclists is also nearby, on the Southbank of the Yarra River.

Swanston Street in Pop Culture

Swanston Street was used for filming in 1976. The famous rock band AC/DC shot their music video for "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" there. Because of this, a nearby street was later renamed ACDC Lane to honour the band.

Images for kids

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  Henry Burn, Swanston Street from Princes Bridge, 1861.

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  Swanston Street around 1873.

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  Swanston Street, looking north from Princes Bridge, 1959.

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  Buxton's Rooms on Swanston Street, where the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition was held in 1889.

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  Swanston Street near RMIT.

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  Two Melbourne trams picking up passengers on Swanston Street, May 2012.

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  The Archway to Melbourne Chinatown on Swanston Street.

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  A street stall on Swanston Street.

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  Flinders Street station, at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets.